CHENNAI: The ruling DMK on Wednesday resolved to highlight its demand for formulating a “Code of Conduct” on how the governors should function and setting a timeframe for the governors to act on granting assent to bills passed by the Assemblies in the upcoming budget session in the parliament.
The resolution to this extent was passed at the meeting of party MPs convened on Wednesday here, under the chairmanship of party president and Chief Minister MK Stalin.
In its resolution, the party said the office of the governor is increasingly getting politicised. It stressed the need for such code of conduct until the position of governor is fully abolished. The party recalled it had already moved the Supreme Court seeking such measures.
The party, in another resolution, expressed disappointment that the state government’s recent announcement, which said Iron Age began in Tamil soil 5,300 years ago based on scientific dating of certain archaeological artefacts, has not been adequately recognised and promoted at the national level. The resolution urged the Union government and the prime minister to take steps to highlight this significant finding and acknowledge Tamil Nadu’s ancient heritage.
The party said that its MPs and members of the DMK students wing will stage a demonstration in Delhi on February 6 demanding the withdrawal of proposed UGC draft regulations, which have attracted strong criticism by the DMK and many other parties for being in violation of the State’s rights.
It also adopted a resolution on Wednesday, reiterating its demand for the withdrawal of these regulations.
It was decided in the meeting that the party’s MPs would strongly oppose and vote against the bill to amend the Waqf Act, if it is reintroduced during the budget session. It criticised the bill was not properly discussed in the parliamentary standing committee and the opposition MPs were excluded from the debate. The party accused the BJP of rushing the bill with the upcoming Delhi elections in mind while ignoring the 44 amendments proposed by the opposition.
Urging more funds for Tamil Nadu, the meeting denounced the Union government for excluding Tamil Nadu’s name in the previous Budget’s statement. The meeting urged the BJP-led government to allocate funds for key pending projects, including Chennai Metro Rail expansion and towards disaster relief. The MPs also called for the announcement of Tamil Nadu-specific projects and new railway initiatives in the upcoming Budget.
Meanwhile, Stalin, in a letter to the party cadre, announced that he will be visiting Tirunelveli district on February 6 and 7.